Steve Aseltine shocked everyone with his performance at Daytona in 1989. The 19-year-old Canadian was nearly flawless winning the first AMA Grand National at Daytona’s Municipal Stadium. It was even better than that though. Aseltine also won the regional Expert event and AMA 600 National the two nights previous the national to sweep the major Daytona Short Track races. That was three in a row, almost unheard of in the rough and tumble world of Short Track racing.

So impressive was Aseltine’s performance, Harley-Davidson factory rider Chris Carr was trying to line up a big bike ride for him afterwards.

“I think coming down here and winning three straight races against the best riders in the country ought to be reason enough for somebody to put him on a good bike for the half-miles and miles,” said Carr, who finished third, second and second again in the three Municipal Stadium races.

In the Saturday night national Aseltine faced an incredibly talented field that included Carr, then defending GNC champ Scott Parker, three-time Grand National champ Jay Springsteen, veterans like Steve Morehead and Ronnie Jones and young up-and-comers like Kevin Atherton and Dan Ingram.

Carr got front early in the national and set sail. Then Aseltine chipped away and when Carr made a slight bobble with about five laps to go Aseltine really started applying pressure.

“I didn’t think I could catch Chris because he had such a good line,” Aseltine said. “But then he made a couple mistakes and I thought just maybe I had a chance.”

Coming into turns three and four Aseltine made his move on the final lap, but Carr slammed the door and looked to have it won. Aseltine didn’t give up. He regrouped, stayed on the gas, got a killer drive out of four and came around the outside onto the front straight and drafted past Carr at the checkered flag by six inches. It was arguably the best performance ever turned in at Daytona.

It proved to be a singular moment of glory for Aseltine. In spite of being an enormous talent, he never won another Grand National.